Tripod

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Tambrey
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Re: Tripod

Post by Tambrey »

That is what I cannot figure out....any cleaning products I use are pet safe/human safe....I do not like chemical crap....even when we get flies in summer, as much as I hate sticky traps, I use flypaper and no sprays...

medicines and such are kept in a basket over the sink, not even on a shelf that they might get to

food is eaten or put away...garbage bin has a round top on it that they cannot get into....but Tripod was not one for human foods anyways...

None of the others are showing anything...but with that....WHAT can I look for in advance IF someone else should develop kidney failure?

I am pretty sure that Callie's was from the anesthesia she had for her dental, as that was about 2 weeks before the release of the info about the bad batch of meds causing kidney failure...
But Tripod's totally took me by surprise...

Unless my other thought is something my husband brought up...both Callie and Tripod came from the place to the north of us (NOT the hoarder next door)...if they are somehow from the same lineage then it could be possible there is a genetic related issue...

I am just...as you said...in shock...I was not expecting this....I expected to maybe feed a special diet or give meds for the rest of his life...but not to see his life suddenly gone so fast....
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E's
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Re: Tripod

Post by E's »

Oh Tambrey, I am so sorry! Tripod was such a special, brave kitty... but they all are special and it is so tough to lose any...

It was 5 years ago yesterday evening - only 5 months after we ran from Katrina - that my darling Winnie - von Rombach German shepherd `Eowyn of Colmar - died suddenly of unknown causes... She was only 9 and had been in perfect health and always had regular vet checks... Anyway, at this time of year especially, I get to thinking about the Rainbow Bridge and am comforted. Hope you are too.
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momPaws
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Re: Tripod

Post by momPaws »

Tambrey...just hated hearing that news about Tripod...I remember everything you did for him. That is so sad :cry: :cry: :cry:
I am pretty sure that Callie's was from the anesthesia she had for her dental, as that was about 2 weeks before the release of the info about the bad batch of meds causing kidney failure...
Angel will need dental soon...what is that about bad anesthesia? When was that and is there a link or something I can check out.. (Traci?)

Run free on kitty angel's wings little Tripod...you don't need you legs now..you can glide and hop without gravity, like my Honey bouncing thru the fields of clouds.
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Traci
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Re: Tripod

Post by Traci »

Tambrey, the causes of ARF are numerous, with the most common as antifreeze (ethylene glycol), plants (particularly lilies), human NSAIDS, , infection (many bacterial forms), viral (i.e., FELV), obstruction, and a host of drugs and chemicals and toxins.

The natural products you use in and around the home still need to be ruled out. Most every manufacturer has a proprietary ingredient list they are not required by the EPA to divulge. What might be marketed as safe for humans (in terms of accidental exposure) are almost never ever safe for pets.

Take inventory inside your house. Look for any signs of plants, meds, chemicals, in the basement for spills, something knocked over, gotten into, look under all cabinets in the home for signs of spills etc.

I'm not saying it was something in your home, I'm saying that due to the apparent suddeness of this and what appears to be ARF, you have other cats and dogs to also worry about.

It may have been more chronic going on for some time, caused by a bacterial infection, or obstruction or a chemical imbalance in the blood, there are so many things to rule out, but without a necropsy, you may never know (unless you find evidence of something in the home).

Toxins however, are usually quick acting, the symptoms are quick and obvious, like with antifreeze or toxic plants: symptoms appear within hours, the pet starts vomiting, is lethargic, incoordinated (appears as if drunk) - the symptoms might level off soon after, and more symptoms will occur soon. By the time of the second stage, it is usually too late because the damage done to the kidneys is irreversible.

The most common cause to ARF is toxins, followed by cancer and trauma of some sort (i.e., hit by car or blunt forced trauma seriously bruising the kidneys)

It is unlikely that this was hereditary, unless something like PKD, which usually is breed-specific, and the symptoms are obvious and progressing.

The signs to watch for, for acute renal failure: loss of appetite, anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, incoordination or disorientation, changes in drinking/urination (whether increased or decreased), unable to urinate, pale gums, underweight, dilated or uneven pupils, dehydration.

In chronic renal failure, it is usually slower progressing, with dehydration, increased thirst/consumption of water, increased urination, lowered appetite, weight loss and an imbalance of chemicals in the blood causing an array of symptoms requiring treatment. CRF is often accompanied by another health condition such as hyperthyroidism, heart disease, or any other vital organ disease.

Again, I am so very very sorry, you took such great care of Tripod, and especially when he needed you most when you first found him.

(((((((((HUGS)))))))))

MomPaws, it was Teva's brand of Ketamine, an injectable agent for anesthesia - there were contaminants and some bad batches of ketamine manufactured and sold by the plant. I believe there were at least 5 documented cases of deaths but there could have been more - this happened about Nov and Dec of 2009. What was equally as bad was that vets were not notified of the recall until it was way too late.
..........Traci
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Tina B and crew
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Re: Tripod

Post by Tina B and crew »

Oh Tambrey....I am so sorry to hear this. I was so hoping that this one would turn out differently. We've had too many sudden and unexpected losses on this board recently. My heart is breaking :cry: Tripod was such a special boy.

Safe journey sweet Tripod.... :cry:
Tina B and "what a crew!"

How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
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Tambrey
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Re: Tripod

Post by Tambrey »

Traci....even with my degree, I cannot grow a houseplant...they do not exist in any way shape or form (dead or alive) in our house....

no chemical spills...we would have smelled that as well...cleaning products are mostly vinegar, baking soda, peroxide...when I do get down and dirty with the floors...I rinse a few times afterwards, then put a fan in the room and keep them out til dry...but when I do that, it is umm, I can't remember...I am at work now, but the label specifically says it is pet safe in bold on the front...

The basement door stays shut, no heat down there, so he got into nothing there....

cabinets only have pans and baking dishes in them....food stuff is either on the pantry shelf upstairs or downstairs...

I am just watching the others like a hawk now....
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k9Karen
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Re: Tripod

Post by k9Karen »

To add to Traci's excellent list of things to look for, also look for molds, especially anything he might have slept or played in or on (a moist area in the basement, moist soil a plant is in, something like that), eaten, or drank. Mold toxins can be pretty nasty.

One other thing - what is your water supply? If you're on a well, have the water tested for toxins, expecially pesticides.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Tripod

Post by slvrwhispr »

Oh God, no... oh, my heart is so broken for you, Tambrey. I had a bad feeling because you described exactly how Emmy went... sweet, precious boy; you gave him a quality of life and an amount of love he'd have NEVER received otherwise.
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LisaLisa
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Re: Tripod

Post by LisaLisa »

Tambrey, I am so so sorry...
Lisa, Angel Smokey and little Caz
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